A University of Florida religion professor and department chair in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been arrested on charges of video voyeurism and possession of obscene material depicting a child.
Manuel Arturo Vasquez, 53, faces allegations that he covertly filmed an underage teenage girl in her bedroom, according to reports from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.
The videos, recorded last year, were discovered on a USB recorder in the girl's closet. One video depicts Vasquez setting up the equipment; another shows the girl wearing only her underwear. She was 14 at the time of recording, according to the arrest report.
The girl viewed the videos after a friend of hers discovered the USB device. She said the videos made her feel "scared and uncomfortable," according to the arrest report.
Vasquez was arrested on Thursday and remains in the Alachua County jail today on a $20,000 bond.
UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes said she was unable to comment on the arrest, but did confirm Vasquez is a faculty member in the religion department.
Vasquez has worked for the college since 1994, when he began as an associate professor, according toUniversity of Florida's website. He has served as chair since 2012. He is the director of the interdisciplinary Program for Immigration, Religion and Social Change (PIRSC).
Vasquez has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case according to university officials.